Arcade Basketball Game with Illuminated Rim

ABSTRACT

An basketball arcade game is disclosed that includes a rim, a backboard, a ball sensor for the detection of balls that pass through the rim, a scoreboard for displaying a score relating to the game, a ball control access panel to permit and restrict access to balls that are used with said game, and a central processor that receives input from the ball sensor and provides output to the scoreboard, and the rim further includes a light source and a motor to laterally drive the rim which are both controlled by the central processing unit, and the rim may display light signals reflecting conditions of the game including bonus conditions and the time of play remaining.

The Applicants claim the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Application No. 61/629,293 that was filed on Nov. 16, 2011. Coin operated basketball games have proved to be popular attractions in arcades and tavern locations. The main object of these games is to rapidly shoot basketballs through a basketball hoop. Scoring is typically achieved by calculating the number of baskets scored during the time interval of play. In commercial embodiments, the relative point value of a basket may be increased during a portion of the play time. There have been versions of basketball games that move the backboard and rim towards and away from the shooter to make the shot more difficult.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to improvements to conventional commercial basketball arcade games and new scoring techniques. A first feature of the invention is directed to the provision of externally directed lights within the hoop or rim that generally form a circle around the opening of the rim. The lights can be illuminated to signal to players that the game is a bonus condition and may also be used to provide other scoring techniques. A second aspect of the invention is to mount the hoop on the rear of the game device to allow for lateral movement of the rim with respect to the player during game play.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a rim that is used in an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rim depicted in FIG. 1 after assembly.

FIG. 3 is a line drawing of the bottom view of the rim together with a bracket.

FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of the assembly depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the controllers for the rim including input and output functions.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a basketball arcade game in which the rim assembly of the invention is used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Now referring to FIG. 1, an exploded view of the rim assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is depicted. The rim assembly 10 includes a top layer 14, a center layer 16 and a bottom layer 18, On a bottom surface 19 of bottom layer 18 a trim layer 26 is attached to layer 18 that includes ball sensor transmitter 28. The ball sensor transmitter 28 detects when a ball has passed through the hoop. The sensor 28 transmits signals to a central controller or processor. The sensor depicted includes an infrared light source and a photo detector. The photo detector can detect light infrared reflected from the surface of a ball passing through the hoop. Signals are transmitted to a central processor unit for processing. Sensors may include infrared light sources and photo detectors that are arranged on opposite sides of the rim wherein a ball passing through the rim will interrupt a light signal thereby generating a signal to the CPU. In addition, in alternative contemplated embodiments, mechanical detectors, such as a spring loaded wire, that will sense the ball and then provide an electronic signal to the controller in response to a mechanical engagement. The layers 14, 16 and 18 are made from a synthetic resin such as plexiglass and the upper layer 14 is provided with a rounded edge around the interior and exterior circumference of the rim. While a synthetic resin is used to make the layer components of the rim in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the rim may be comprised of other suitable rigid materials such as metal or wood.

A series of LED lights contained in LED strip 20 are attached to the center layer 16. The exterior dimension of the annular ring 29 of the center middle layer 16 is smaller than the exterior dimension of the rings of top layer 14 and bottom layer 18. This arrangement results in a recessed groove into which the LED strip 20 can be seated and, in this location, the individual lights are protected from impact with the balls. A transparent strip cover 21 is positioned over the strip to further protect the LEDs from impact from balls and damage. The top layer 14, center layer 16, bottom layer 18, and trim layer 26 are attached together with bolts 35 and nuts 36.

Now referring to FIG. 2 which shows the rim assembly, it is apparent that the LED strip cover 21 does not extend out as far as the rounded edge 38 on the top layer 18.

The LED lights in the rim are used for a variety of purposes and are controlled by a central controller to react to and communicate to the player different and dynamic game conditions. A first function that the lights serve is to define and communicate to the player a bonus scoring condition. A bonus condition is anytime that the CPU provides a score that is more than what is credited for a successful shot. A bonus score condition is communicated to the player by providing a unique illumination sequence of the LED's on the rim. For example, in a preferred embodiment all of the lights are rapidly activated and then deactivated to indicate that the game is in a first bonus mode. In another example, at a predetermined time or after a sequence of successful shots, the lights can be illuminated in an alternative distinctive pattern to indicate that an alternative bonus scoring situation is in effect and successful shots may be credited with an increased value. Thus for example, the lights may rapidly blink on and off; the lights may be constantly illuminated; each adjacent light may be sequentially illuminated in the series around the rim; the lights may be simultaneously sequentially illuminated in both a clockwise and counterclockwise direction; different color lights may be illuminated at different times, each to communicate to the user different bonus conditions. As such, in addition or in place of a sequence of illumination to be used as a signal, different colored lights on the LED strip may be activated to reflect a bonus condition. For example, during conventional scoring the green lights may be illuminated; during a bonus condition, red lights may be illuminated. A further special bonus may involve the illumination of yet additional other colored LEDs on the rim, such as blue or green.

An additional feature that provided by the use of lights on the rim is a game condition that allows a player to attempt to time his or her shot so that it passes through rim at the same time lights converge or pass by a target position. In another mode, the lights on the LED strip are sequentially activated to reflect a chasing pattern in a circular motion around the hoop. If the player makes the shot when the lights in the position directly in front of the rim are illuminated, an additional bonus is awarded. In an embodiment, the bonus feature is activated after a predetermined time after the game is activated and play has started. As the timer nears the end of the play period, the bonus is activated and the rim displays a bonus sequence by rapidly blinking on and off. In a second contemplated alternative mode, a bonus feature is activated after a predetermined number of shots are made within a predetermined time period which may reflect the consecutive scoring of baskets.

As discussed above, in a further scoring embodiment, the LED lights 20 are sequentially illuminated around the rim and a player can attempt to time his or her shot so that the ball will pass through the rim at the same time that the chasing light converges with a target light or center position. If the ball is sensed when the LED that corresponds to the target position is illuminated, the controller will award a bonus. The controller can be programmed to implement a further bonus wherein if consecutive shots made when the light is illuminated opposite a target position the score of the bonus is escalated. This condition may be signaled by the illumination of a particular color LED. For example, if a first bonus is made 3 points are awarded, and the game reflects a bonus condition by blinking red lights, if a second bonus is earned then six points are awarded and the bonus condition is to a third condition reflected by blinking blue lights. If this bonus is earned, then nine points are awarded. The bonus condition may include illuminating all the lights on the rim at the same time.

In a further embodiment, the lights on the hoop remain off until a bonus condition is signaled. After a miss, the hoop would illuminate solid for a short period when the shot value would be higher, if the player makes his next shot before the lights go out he would be awarded the higher value.

In yet a further embodiment the hoop lights can also be programmed to function as a time indicator. In many conventional coin operated basketball games a numerical countdown timer is provided to indicate the time period that remains. In an embodiment of the invention, the lights on the rim also provide a timing signal, wherein the rim lights are programmed to remain constantly illuminated at the beginning of the game thereby indicating full time remaining. Once play begins, the light's are sequentially extinguished at a predetermined rate until the last one goes off indicating time has expired. In the foregoing embodiment, lights opposite a center location may be sequentially turned off as they progress to a center location that faces the player. In yet another embodiment, as discussed above, the hoop could begin to blink near the end of the period to reflect that the time has almost elapsed. This may also reflect that the game is in a bonus condition.

Using the hoop as the location to signal game bonus events, the time remaining for play, and to time the sinking of shot is a preferable location because most players keep their eyes the hoop during play. Because information about the status of the game including time remaining and bonus conditions is provided on the rim, the player does not have to divert his or her attention to a timer or a bonus indicator to understand the status of the game conditions. In this regard, basketball players are often trained to keep their eyes narrowly focused on the rim that they are shooting at and providing information about the bonus condition of the game directly on the rim allows the player to be informed of such game conditions without having to shift the focus of his or her eyes to a second signal. Because a visual signal of a bonus condition or the time remaining is provided directly on the rim, the player does not have to take his or her eyes off the target to receive the communications that the rim is in a bonus condition, and that the time for play is nearing the end.

As discussed above, providing the lights on the rim also allows a convenient manner in which to provide signals to the player that are performing the game feature wherein the ball passes through the rim to correspond with a home position. The use lights on the rim also provide a unique attraction feature for the game and the illumination of the lights may be programmed to be displayed in a variety of formats including having all the lights blink on and off at the same time, have the lights sequentially be illuminated. In a further embodiment the lights are illuminated simultaneously from the both the right side and the left side of the rim to converge on the center of the front of the rim. In this embodiment, the player may attempt to have the ball pass through the rim when the lights converge at the center of the rim for an additional bonus. In yet a further alternative embodiment, the lights will blink at a more rapid rate as the time elapses. In yet a further scoring embodiment, as the ball is repeatedly made through the hoop within predetermined time periods, the lights on the rim will remains illuminated and reflecting a continuing bonus condition and extended time.

In other embodiments, the light on the rim is provided by electroluminescent wire (“EL wire”), by low powered lasers such as LED lasers, LED wire or neon lights. In an embodiment, three different color EL wires substantially surround the rim. The wire is attached to a controller that can cause the wires to blink or be active in predetermined sequences to signal different game conditions. Providing such lights on the rim as a signal to the player allows for novel and unique scoring systems and can make play more enjoyable.

Now referring to FIG. 3, rim 10 depicted in FIG. 1 is shown integrated into support bracket 300 which is, in turn affixed to timing drive belt 310. LED strip 312 and 313 is provided on the rear edge of the rim assembly 10 to illuminate the translucent top, bottom and middle layers. Stepper motor 315 is used to drive the hoop back and forth by engaging timing drive belt 310 which is affixed to the bracket 300. The timing drive belt 310 is a continuous loop that is driven by pulley 318 and extends around idler pulley 232 which is attached to frame 320. The use of stepper motor 315 allows explicit digital speed and motion control that would not otherwise be easily attainable. The stepper motor is attached to frame 320 which is attached to the rear surface or back board of game. The frame also provides a guide for the top surface 390 of the rim assembly 10 to keep the rim level and in a horizontal plane. Bearings or rollers, not shown, are provided to reduce friction. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the ball sensor includes both infrared light emitter 500 and photo detector sensor 328 and photo detector 329 located on the rear surface of bracket 399. The detectors 328 and 329 send signals to a central processing unit 550 (“CPU”) or controller when the light is interrupted that indicates that a ball has passed through the hoop.

The provision of an engine and drive system to provide for lateral movement of the hoop adds an additional element of skill to the game and, when the engine providing for the movement is activated, the central controller can provide for yet an additional bonus scoring conditions. These conditions may also be signaled to the player by the illumination of the rim or illuminating light sources provided on the rim. The use of a stepper motor to move the hoop assembly has advantages when used in the basketball hoop drive described herein. If the motor or hoop gets ‘stuck’, no damage will be done to the system as the motor will simply stall without creating an overcurrent or overheating problem. In addition, as a result of using a stepper motor, limit switches, encoders, and clutches are eliminated.

As discussed above, the game may be configured to allow for a variety of scoring systems using both the LED lights and lateral hoop movement. For example, in an embodiment, a first time interval of scoring, a single point is awarded for each basket. In a second scoring interval, three points are provided when shots are made when the LED on the rim corresponds to a target position. In a third scoring interval, the rim of the basket is put into motion back, six points are awarded.

In an alternative embodiment, the scoring proceeds as follows:

-   -   In Round 1: 2 point shots are awarded or 3 points if rim is lit         in blue;     -   In Round 2: 2 point shots or 3 points if rim is lit in the color         red;     -   In Round 3: the rim is put into lateral motion and the scoring         is the same as in Round 2;     -   In Round 4: the rim moves faster and the scoring is the same as         described in Rounds 2 and 3 above;     -   In Rounds 2, 3, and 4, if the rim is maintained red for 5         consecutive shots lights the rim turns to purple; For every         purple lit shot made, ten points are awarded.

In the foregoing example the each round has a predetermined time that is counted down by the countdown timer 801. Upon activation of the credit switch 608, the first round is initiated which is followed by the subsequent rounds until the entire time provide for play has elapsed. In embodiments, additional time may be awarded upon scoring predetermined scores, making shots during bonus periods that are communicated by the illuminated rim, or by making a predetermined number of consecutive shots. Consecutive shots may be inferred by the CPU wherein the time between successful baskets is calculated and may not necessarily reflect actual shots made. In further embodiments, manners to detecting missed shots may include the presence of ball detectors, like those disclosed in FIG. 3 but provided at locations within the lateral screen and access panel.

Again referring to FIG. 5, the game is controlled by a central processing unit 550. It includes input from upper ball sensors 328 and 329. In order to ensure that the ball completely passed through the basket, CPU 550 is programmed to not award a score unless a signal is received from both sensors 328 and 329. Infrared light source 28 is powered by a 12 volt battery or power supply. CPU 550 also controls the ticket dispenser 530, the score board which is a part of the header leads 522, ball access control panel 525. The game is activated by the detection of a credit switch 608. The Main CPU also controls the illumination of all of the LEDs including the hoop LEDs 520, the Header LEDs 522 and Side LEDs 540. Stepper motor 315 is also controlled by the CPU 550 and provides for the lateral movement of the rim 10 wither respect to the backboard 590.

Now referring to FIG. 6, an arcade game is depicted wherein rim 10 and motorized attachment brackets are attached via frame 320 (not shown) to rear backboard element 590. Access to the balls are provided by elevating access panel 526 by motor 525 to allow balls 613 to roll down ramp 600 to an area that may be accessed by a player. When the time has elapsed, the access panel 526 is lowered and the balls 613 are retained behind the access panel. The device includes a scoreboard 800 and countdown timer 801 that are Dart of the Header LEDs 522. Balls are restrained within the device by side netting 700 and top guard 750.

One or more games may be linked together to provide for simultaneous multiplayer competition. A ticket dispenser 561 is provided that dispenses tickets according to the score earned. In contemplated alternative embodiments, two or more rims are provided to allow for the simultaneous play of multiple players.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments described above can be altered in many ways without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the following claims and their legal equivalents 

We claim:
 1. An basketball arcade game comprising, a rim, a backboard, a ball sensor for the detection of balls that pass through said rim, an electronic scoreboard for displaying a score relating to the game, a ball control access panel to permit and restrict access to balls that can be used with said game, and a central processor, said adapted to receive input from said ball detector and to provide output to said scoreboard and wherein said rim further comprises a light emitter for the emission of light in the visual spectrum, said light emitter controlled by said central processing unit to manifest different light signals reflecting different conditions of the game.
 2. The basketball arcade game recited in claim 1, wherein said light emitter comprises a plurality of LEDs.
 3. The basketball arcade game recited in claim 2 wherein said controller activates a plurality of the LED light emitters in a blinking pattern to signal a bonus scoring condition.
 4. The basketball arcade game recited in claim 2 wherein the controller includes a scoring mode that is signaled by the sequential activation of adjacent LED's around the circumference of the rim to signal a bonus condition.
 5. The basketball arcade game recited in claim 2 wherein said LEDs include a plurality of different color light emitters and said controller include a scoring mode where a single color light emitter is activated to signal a bonus condition.
 6. A basketball arcade game recited in claim 1 further comprising a ticket dispenser controlled by said processor wherein the number of tickets that are dispensed is dependant upon the score calculated by said central proceeding unit.
 7. The basketball arcade game recited in claim 1 wherein said scoreboard further comprising a countdown timer and the time elapsed in a game is signaled by said light emitters.
 8. The basketball arcade game recited in claim 1 further comprising a credit detector, said credit detector providing input to said controller and, in response to the detection of a credit, said CPU will activate a credit switch.
 9. The basketball arcade game recited in claim 1 wherein said rim is comprised of a translucent material and said game further comprises a light source for the illumination of said transparent material.
 10. The basketball arcade game recited in claim 1 wherein said light emitters attached to said rim comprises EL wire.
 11. The basketball arcade game recited in claim 9 wherein said light source is illuminated top reflect a bonus condition.
 12. A basketball arcade game comprising, a rim, a backboard, a ball sensor for the detection of ball that pass through said rim, an electronic scoreboard, and a ball control access panel, and a central processor to receive input from said ball sensor provide output to said scoreboard and an engine attached to said rim to move said rim in a lateral direction.
 13. The arcade basketball game recited in claim 12 further comprising a light source for proving different light signals that reflecting different game scoring conditions of the device and said light source is attached to said rim.
 14. The arcade basketball game recited in claim 12 wherein said engine is a stepper motor.
 15. The arcade basketball game recited in claim 13 wherein said rim is attached to a continuous drive belt, and said drive belt is powered by said stepper motor.
 16. The arcade basketball game recited in claim 1 wherein the game is activated for a predetermined time and said CPU provides a signal to said light emitters that reflects the time that is remaining in a game.
 17. The arcade game recited in claim 15 wherein said signal comprise the sequential deactivation of adjacent lights on said rim. 